Land clearing attachment for tractors



June 1, 1954 c. s. BUSQUE LAND CLEARING ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS Filed Jan. 8, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l I il l/ 4 .ell

Inventor' Attorneys sen vmr -tI-IIUIIIIILUIIIIMUTf-'lllllllllmllm- MIL- e W JM .VM M a @i w June l, 1954 c. s. BUSQUE y LAND CLEARING ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8. 1952 l n ve nto v afflwdz/syae Atlzov'neys June 1, 1954 c. s. BUSQUE 2,679,701

LAND CLEARING ATTACHMENT FOR TRAcToRs Filed Jan. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 25 Inventor1 ttownegs Patented June l, 1954 LAND CLEARING ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS Charles S. Busque, St. Robert, Quebec, Canada Application January 8, 1952, Serial No. 265,491

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to tractor attachments and more particularly to an attachment for clearing land of stumps, boulders and the like.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of improved means for more emciently clearing land by power vehicles such as tractors.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of a land clearing attachment for tractors having a plurality of ground engaging teeth, said attachment so constructed that said teeth may engage the ground along a line extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the tractor or along a line inclined relatively to said direction.

Still another important object of the present invention is the provision of a land clearing attachment having a plurality of aligned forwardly projecting ground engaging teeth, said attachment adapted to dispose said teeth transversely of said tractor or at an angle relatively thereto, said teeth adapted to remain in their original forwardly pointing direction when in their last mentioned position.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a land clearing attachment of the character described which may be used indiierently to push the debris cleared from the land in front of the tractor to any convenient f location or to discharge said debris alongside the tractor as the latter moves along.

Yet another important object of the present invention is an attachment of the character described which is pivotally mounted on the tractor for vertical movement in front of the tractor.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a land clearing attachment for tractors provided with a plurality of ground engaging teeth in which the transverse distance between said teeth may be varied according to the type of ground being cleared.

A further object concerns an attachment of the character described which is adapted to operate eiciently with a minimum of power expenditure.

Yet another important object of the present invention is the provision of an attachment of the type referred to which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which is strong and durable.

Yet another important object of the present invention is the provision of a land clearing attachment in which all the constituting parts may be easily replaced if broken.

The foregoing and other important objects will become more apparent during the following dis- 2 closure and by referring to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the land clearing attachment shown mounted in front of a tractor;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the land clearing attachment showing the tractor in dotted line, the teeth of the attachment being shown aligned transversely of the tractor;

Figure l3 is a plan View similar to that of Figure 2 but showing the teeth disposed obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the tractor;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fractional plan section showing the connection of a pusher bar with one end of a transverse beam pivotally mounted on the frame of the attachment;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation along line 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional elevation along line 6-6 of Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is a longitudinal fractional section along line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like elements throughout, a rigid frame I0, having generally a U shape when Viewed in plan, is pivotally secured for vertical movement to a tractor generally indicated by the reference letter A, said tractor having endless tracks B. The frame I0 is preferably secured at the sides of the tractor at the rear end thereof and suitable Power means not shown are provided to move the same up or down.

The frame I Il consists more particularly in two straight hollow legs II of rectangular crosssection and joined by a transverse section which is preferably in the form of a channel, its horizontally extending top and bottom flanges I 2 and I3 projecting forwardly from the tractor A.

The transverse section is bent at I4 near the middle thereofto form a straight portion I5 extending at right angles to the legs I I and a rearwardly inclined portion I6 preferably provided with a rearwardly extending right-angle projection l'l engaging the space dened by the front end of one endless track B and the front end of the tractor A. This projection I'l `further reinforces the inclined portion I6 of the frame I0.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the lower horizontal flange I3 of the frame I0 forms near the bend it a horizontal forwardly projecting extension I8 aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tractor A. l

An L-shaped plate I9 extends underneath the extension I8, its short leg rigidly secured to the rear edge of the flange I3 and its long leg extending in spaced parallel relationship with said extension I8.

A bolt 2U is mounted vertically at the free end of the extension I8 and L-shaped member I9. A horizontally extending straight channel beam 2I is pivotally mounted at its middle on the bolt 20 between the extension I8 and L-shaped member I9 as showniniEigureiG'l. The :boltLZlllfis received in a suitablegroovemade in thefweb portion of said beam 2I and is secured to the latter by means of a U-shaped clamp member 22 surrounding a collar 23 which is in contactv-Wlith.the,pinl.20,

and having its free ends passing through the web v of the beam 2| and through a spacer block 24 disposed within the beam 2 I. 1Nutsi25'.threadedlyr engaging the free ends of the .U,shaped .clamp member 23, secure the latter in position. Thus it is seen that the beam 2l is pivotally mounted at its middle portion on the bolt 2|] and may take arposition ytransverse or. .theilongitudinal axisof the tractor as shown in Figure 2 or inclinednelaf tively. thereto` as .shown inEigure 3.

A\ plurality of .equally spaced, forwardlyprojecting ground engaging teeth 2B are pivotally mounted .fonthe forward beam 2,! .in;a manner similar. to .the pivotal mounting of saidz beam f on the.bo1t.-2,,.` Theteethrhave avertically extending rod-like portion. A21, .engaging equally spacedfgrooves. made .intthe web portion of the .channel .beam-.2I .and vsecured iniplace .by means of a U-shaped clamp. 2,8.. surrounding the collar mand extending-.through aspacer block. 33 iisposediwithin the. channeLbeam 2|. The clamp member. .2.8, is secured byfmeans V.o f.,nuts 3| All the teeth 2B are pivotally-.mountedonthechannel beam 2|` inasimilar manner, except .the 4end tooth 26 which is disposedforemostwhen the land.. clearing. .attachment is,in inc1ned..position as shown in Figure 3. In. ordehtoffurtherrrenforce. thepivo.tal. mounting. off said,V toothv 26', a wedge 32 is inserted between the beam 2|4 and thecollar 29.

Anupright concaveheavypusher plate 33 provided at its reareface with ,vertical reinforcements v34 andbent atits low-er edgato zformia .rearward horizontalflange 35, issecuredto the top ofthe .beam .21..bymeansot bolts and .nuts 36` Two elongated.. straight.. horizontally. extending top .andbottom .channel beams .31. and 38 respectively. ,are pivotally .mounted .in superposed relationship .at` their `middle portion. aboveancl underneath the transverse sectioni ofthe .rigid frame. Illby means ora bolt.,39..vertically..extending `through ,the extending ,horizontal flanges of saidchanneLbeams 3`I.and;3.8, throughthehorizontal. flanges. -I.I and.` I 2 ofthe .transverse .frame portion. I.5..an d through .the long.. leg of vthe L-shaped. member.. I8. disposed.. underneaththe extension.x I8.-

.The .bolt 3.9 .is disposed.. .directly .behind the bolt.`29, .in line .with .the longitudinal, axis. of. .the tractoren. The two-channel .beams .31, .38,are iuither .secured/together. to forma rigid unitby a..p1urality. of spaced .vertical plates 4U. secured Ato the freeedges of .the horizontalanges of said channel .beams Thusit `is seen that the top .and Abottomchannel beams .31, 38.. may 'pivot as .a .unitabout the `central .bolt secured .to .the `frame I 0v The teeth 26 `are preferably made in two separate parts, weldedtogether; namely, a vertically extending plate-like member 4I having.-,aconcave iorwardedgem .to ,engage `.the groundiand a rearwardiextension .43.;baving anend .ear 44 disposed under the lower channel beam 38 to be pivotally secured thereto by means of a through bolt 45, such as shown in Figure 5, for the end teeth of the attachment, or by means of a short pin 46 such as shown in Figure 1 for the intermediate teeth of the attachment. I n the latter case the ears 44 of the teeth 26 engage a yoke 41 secured underneath the lower flange of the bottom channel beam 38.. The shorlt `pins 46, which pass through the-yoke 41 anditheflanges ofthe lower beam 38, are maintained in place by means of a small set screw 48 shown in Figure 6 threadedly engaginga hole 49, shown in Figure 7, between .the two horizontal ilanges of the lower channel beam 38. Y

rThe other yconstituting part of the teeth 26 `comprsesthe,vertically extending rod-like portion 21, previously described, which is forked at its .lowerend to form two prongs 50 extending on both sides of the plate 4I and welded or otherwise-secured thereto. Thenpperfendoffthe rodlike-portiorr21` isbentl rearwardlyv at .right-angles topass vthrough suitable notches 5 I Imade, in the concave pusher plate 33 and form Z-shape lex,- tension 5.2, the 4horizontally .extending Vfree'end of which formsears-53 engaging the topfchannel beams? tobe--pivotally secured lthereto by-means of the through bolts 45 for the end teethpfV the attachment-,or by means, of short -bolts 54, shown inigure 7, for the: intermediateteeth.

It is seen from the above description thatthe channel beams ZI, 31 andV 38.1andnthe teeth-.26 constitute a deformable parallelogramarrangement pivotally mounted onvthe frame I0 ,iorhori- 1 Zonta-l movement such that' said parallelogram may take a position .extendingtransyerselyrofthe tractor. as shown. in; Figure 2, or extending f ati; an angleor obliquely thereto` as shownrinfFigurefB, theteeth 2E remaining: all thetimeginplanes' parallel to the longitudinaLaxis oftheftra'ctor-:ea g. pointedorwardly. It vrill.E be :noted `that' the pivotal connections .vof Y'thei teeth 12.6 r no1-the: rear channel beams: 31,r 38" are. all aligned with the pivotalconnection 39f'of said vchannel members to the frame I andfthatrthe'pivotal'connection of-'the teeth '28 to` the forward `beam :2I :arev all aligned withthe pivotal connection. of said 'ionward channel member'2I' to theextension 'I'Bof n the-:framed'so as to-ensurefgood=working1of rthe parallelogram arrangement.

In order to pivotvthe parallelogram'arrangement about bolts 39 andfZt-here are provided two pusher'bars ESsIidably-extending Within `the leg-s II- of` the rigid frame II'I- and connected' at their rear'end'to suitablepowermeans, such as the hydraulic lunit 55 shown AirrFigure 3; mounted onA the ytractor Afor imparting to said pushenbars '.55` areciproeal` movement within thel legs I I -The front end 5.6. of thejpusher bars 55"is'-bent inwardlyy at right angles andformsg a. T-shaped portion slidably engaging twopairs 'of -guidegrails 51 longitudinally secured, respectively, tothe-bottom face .offthe top .bearn 31 and to the upper face of the bottom beam 38as shown "in'Figures 5 and. The front end corner ofthe T.=shaped;end portion 56 is. beyelled .as shown at 58to corne into iiat .contact with the forward guiderails`51when the `attachment Vs.in inclined ,position relatively to` thetractor. 'Ihisisshownin dottedllines in Figure. 4.

In order. to further reinorce the attachment, according to tlfieinvention,l and .more :p articularly to preventrockingof thechannehbeams 3.1, 38 and 2 I .in a, vertical ,plane .aboutlthein hrespective pivot on the frame l0, two guiding beams 59 having a channel cross-section, slidably enclose the legs Il of the rigid frame I0. Their rear end is provided with inwardly bent flaps 60 to prevent said guiding beams 59 from disengaging the legs H and the forward end of said guiding beams is flared to form a portion 6| of relatively large width terminated by four spaced ears 62 pivotally mounted on the end bolts 45 to which are pivotally secured the end teeth 26 and the ends of the beams 31 and 48. Upon pivotal movement of the deformable parallelogram, the guide beams 59 will slide along the legs I l while effecting slight transversal movement about their rear end.

While a preferred embodiment according to the invention has been illustrated and described it is understood that various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An attachment of the character described for a tractor comprising a rigid U-shaped frame having its legs pivotally mounted at the rear of said tractor for vertical arcuate movement and having its middle section extending transversely in front of said tractor, an integral extension projecting forwardly from said middle section, an elongated straight beam member pivotally mounted at its middle portion on the free end of said extension, a pair of superposed beam members pivotally mounted at their middle portion on the middle portion of said frame section of said rigid frame directly behind the pivotal connection of said first beam member, said superposed beam members extending respectively above and underneath said frame section, a plurality of equally spaced forwardly projecting teeth pivotally mounted on said rst beam member and having rearwardly extending top and bottom extensions respectively pivotally connected to said pair of superposed beam members, and power operated means to pivot said beam members on said frame from a position transversely of said tractor to a position inclined relatively thereto.

2. An attachment of the character described for tractors as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprise pusher bars slidably mounted within the legs of said U-shaped rigid frame and operatively connected at their forward end to said pair of superposed beam members, and power means on said U-shaped frame for actuating said pusher bars.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 further including a transverse pusher blade rigidly secured to said first named beam member and extending above the same.

4. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 including guide beams slidably mounted on the legs of said U-shaped frame and pivotally connected at their forward end to the ends of said pair of superposed beam members.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,061,649 Wick May 13, 1913 2,075,482 Thorpe Mar. 30, 1937 2,160,595 LeBleu May 30, 1939 2,179,583 Wilson Nov. 14J 1939 2,402,352 Taylor June 18, 1946 2,420,027 Austin May 6, 1947 

